9/ Girding Australia

Leg 45 – A change of state

After sleeping for most of the day on the Spirit of Tasmania, Dr Leanda drove from Melbourne towards Adelaide.

Staying near lakes along the way.

South Australia would rather barge through water than build a bridge to get over Lake Alexandrina.

At least Canine Indi enjoyed them – twice – within an hour (Narrung and Wellington). It was the last time she would need to wear her jackets.

Leg 46 – Eyre-ing on the side of caution around giant things

Not stopping in Adelaide, Dr Leanda and Canine Indi flew through Kimba, with its giant galah.

Scuttled through Poochera, past a giant ant.

Flowed on through Ceduna, containing a giant oyster.

To wind up in Penong, with world’s widest windmill.

Indeed, Penong seemed to be farming windmills.

Leg 46 – Null/arbor = no/trees

Signs of Perth were on the horizon.

Trees were not common.

But where there were, there was signs of wildlife (with google-y eyes).

Leg 47 – Cliff notes

The views from the bight did not bite. Dr Leanda prescribes free view points, which are just as beautiful as the paid (below).

Canine Indi enjoyed the free (dog-friendly) ones too.

Dr Leanda likes to provide evidence of her claims, and so these are photos from free viewing points.

Not far from the border, Dr Leanda and Canine Indi camped up…

… and was joined by a feral cat!

Turns out that Canine Indi is not the best cat-tracker.

Leg 48 – Home state

The end of the road for giant things…

… and the beginning of the end of the journey.

It was so hot in Madura that Canine Indi would not leave the air-conditions of Bowser.

Which is just as well because Dr Leanda had a long way to drive.

Dr Leanda took pity on a bird family while staying near Norseman. The next morning the water had dried up, but was over-flowing with bees.

It was so hot, but Canine Indi knew they were on the right track.

Leg 49 – Knocking from the doorstep

Dr Leanda checked in on the trapdoor spiders at her late mentors long-term study site near Tammin.

Many burrows were mud-plugged, indicating brooding females or resting youngsters.

She also checked-in on some trapdoor spiders nearby.

Leg 50 – Home

Feline Chester was beside himself to see Dr Leanda again.

While Canine Indi loved having her pack mates Canine Scrumpy and Canine Jojo beside her again.